Energy harvesting device
First Claim
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1. A piezoelectric energy harvesting system comprising:
- a cantilever, wherein the cantilever comprises;
a conducting element;
a first piezoelectric layer constructed from a freestanding piezoelectric film, wherein said first piezoelectric layer has a thickness of about 1 μ
m-about 150 μ
m;
a non-piezoelectric layer;
a second piezoelectric layer; and
a device for applying an alternating current to said second piezoelectric layer; and
a device connected to the cantilever for storing or consuming energy harvested by the cantilever, wherein the device for storing or consuming energy harvested by the cantilever.
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Abstract
A piezoelectric energy harvesting device (PEHD) comprising a driving element, conducting element, piezoelectric layer and non-piezoelectric layer capable of converting ambient mechanical energy into electrical energy. The piezoelectric layer may be constructed from PMN-PT or PZT having a thickness of about 1-150 ?m. The PEHD may be used to generate about 1 W. The harvested energy may be stored and used to power microelectronic devices and rechargeable battery technologies.
24 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A piezoelectric energy harvesting system comprising:
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a cantilever, wherein the cantilever comprises; a conducting element; a first piezoelectric layer constructed from a freestanding piezoelectric film, wherein said first piezoelectric layer has a thickness of about 1 μ
m-about 150 μ
m;a non-piezoelectric layer; a second piezoelectric layer; and a device for applying an alternating current to said second piezoelectric layer; and a device connected to the cantilever for storing or consuming energy harvested by the cantilever, wherein the device for storing or consuming energy harvested by the cantilever. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A piezoelectric energy harvesting system comprising:
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a cantilever, wherein the cantilever comprises; a conducting element; at least a first piezoelectric layer which is a PMN-PT freestanding film having a thickness of about 1 μ
m-about 150 μ
m; anda non-piezoelectric layer; and a device connected to the cantilever for storing or consuming energy harvested by the cantilever. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for harvesting energy comprising the steps of:
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a. exposing at least one piezoelectric cantilever to a mechanical or vibrational force, wherein the piezoelectric cantilever comprises; a driving element; a first piezoelectric layer constructed from a freestanding piezoelectric film and having a thickness of about 1 μ
m-about 150 μ
m;
a conductive element;a non-piezoelectric layer; and
a second piezoelectric layer;b. and the method further comprises the step of applying an alternating voltage to said second piezoelectric layer to operate said cantilever at frequency which is about a resonance frequency of said first piezoelectric layer; c. harvesting electrical energy generated by the cantilever from the exposure to the mechanical or vibrational force; and d. transporting the electrical energy to a device, wherein the electrical energy is stored or consumed by the device. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification